Top diplomat calls for solidarity with Africa amid pandemic

Solidarity with Africa is more essential than ever as the world struggles with the novel coronavirus, Turkey's foreign minister said May 25 while marking Africa Day, the anniversary of the foundation of the African Union.

"The unprecedented conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world render the solidarity symbolized by Africa Day even more significant this year," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in a statement.

"The progress achieved in recent years by Africa in many fields and our developing partnership with the continent enable us to look into the future with hope, despite there existing severe challenges," Çavuşoğlu said.

"Together with our public institutions, non-governmental organizations and private sector, we have given priority to developing our cooperation with the African continent," he added.

Africa Day is the annual commemoration of May 25, 1963, the day the African Union was founded.

Turkey aims to "further strengthen our relations with Africa on the basis of a win-win understanding and mutual respect," he said.

Çavuşoğlu also highlighted Turkey's determination to bring relations with Africa to the highest level possible.

The number of Turkish embassies in Africa has increased to 42 from 12 in 2002, he said, adding similarly, the number of African embassies in Ankara has increased to 36 from 10 at the beginning of 2008.

"Our bilateral trade volume has soared six-fold in the last 18 years," he noted.

Third Africa-Turkey Partnership Summit

"Turkey's interest in Africa and the Turkish people's feelings of friendship towards the African continent, with which Turkey has historical and human ties, are not new," said Çavuşoğlu.

"With our country becoming a...